Gubernatorial candidates who pledged last year to reduce state budgets are hitting some tough headwinds.

Politico names Republicans John Kasich of Ohio and Chris Christie of New Jersey and Democrat Dan Malloy of Connecticut as case studies.

Then there is The Daily Show host and comedian Jon Stewart, who opened his March 24 show with a series of pieces on Republican governors swept into office last fall, among them Ohio Gov. John Kasich. His humor is at Kasich's expense.